Just a Rock

It is just a small rock. In fact it would be more like a pebble, about the size of a dime. In appearance it looks like ten thousand other pieces of gravel in the parsonage driveway.

I had noticed it before, sitting amid dozens of other kinds of knick knacks on Deloris' kitchen decorative shelving. This is a very prominent setting where she has carefully and selectively placed many of her "valuables" where she - as well as visitors - can admire them from either the living room or the kitchen. Here are her "treasures" - an amber candy dish; a miniature anniversary clock; an onyx burro probably from a mission field; a toy (but real) "sad iron"; a bent, pewter toothpick holder from the ranch. You get the idea... and the list is endless. You probably have some similar place in your home.

But, what on earth is this common, little piece of gravel doing here among Grandma's treasures? So, I asked her, "Honey, why do you have this old-looking, common piece of gravel sitting here?"

"Oh", she rather dreamily responded in the soft tone I have come to know so well. "One of the twins (that would be David or Jonathan) brought this in and gave it to me when they were small. They said that it was pretty and wanted me to have it."

Over all of these years, Grandma not only keeps it, but treasures it and displays it in a prominent place. We all understand that "the pretty piece of gravel" has no monetary or artistic value at all. No one would even pay her a penny for it. But it is precious because it is a loving gift from two little boys with gleaming eyes, spreading smiles and heavenly hearts.

I am thinking now that our dear, heavenly Father has somewhere in His trophy room "pieces of gravel" that you and I have lovingly given to Him throughout our lives - those times and thoughts and acts that came from our hearts just because we loved Him and thought that He would like it, and that they were pretty.

There is no way to enrich a God Who has everything, but He does receive and keep"valuables" from us.

He holds in delight the treasures His children give to Him just because of the love they have in their hearts.

I am guessing that Dave and Jon long ago forgot their gravel gift to their Grandma... but she has not and keeps it as a treasure. I am also thinking - throughout a long eternity - that our gracious, heavenly Father will be bringing out and sharing with us those "little pieces of gravel" that - though we never remembered - we lovingly gave to Him just because we thought He would like them...and He thinks they are pretty!

Copyright by W.L. Boone.